PR Newswire | Oct 21, 2021 06:46AM EDT

for Full Year 2021

10/21 05:45 CDT

Quest Diagnostics Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results, Raises Outlook for Full Year 2021- Third quarter revenues of $2.77 billion, down 0.4% from 2020- Third quarter reported diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $4.02, down 2.8% from 2020; and adjusted diluted EPS of $3.96, down 7.9% from 2020- Year to date cash provided by operations of $1.75 billion, up 19.6% from 2020- Raises full year 2021 outlook to reflect higher than anticipated COVID-19 testing volumes and base business performance SECAUCUS, N.J., Oct. 21, 2021

SECAUCUS, N.J., Oct. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

"We had a strong third quarter, as COVID-19 molecular volumes increased throughout the summer while our base business continued to deliver solid volume growth versus the prior year and 2019," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, CEO and President. "In late summer we experienced some softness in the base business across the country, but saw an overall rebound in September. Importantly, our base business continued to improve sequentially in the third quarter which speaks to the ongoing recovery."

"We have raised our outlook for the remainder of the year based on higher than anticipated COVID-19 volumes as well as the continued progress we expect to see in our base business despite rising labor costs and inflationary pressures. The momentum of our base business positions us to deliver the 2022 outlook we shared at our March investor day."

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,

2021 2020 Change 2021 2020 Change

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Reported:

Net revenues $2,774 $2,786 (0.4) %$8,044 $6,435 25.0%

Diagnostic Information Services revenues $2,703 $2,709 (0.2) %$7,820 $6,217 25.8%

Revenue per requisition (5.4) % 2.2 %

Requisition volume 5.3 % 22.9%

Organic requisition volume 3.2 % 19.2%

Operating income (a) $652 $718 (9.3) %$1,845 $1,176 56.9%

Operating income as a percentage of net revenues (a)23.5 % 25.8 % (2.3) %22.9 % 18.3 % 4.6 %

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics (a) $505 $568 (11.0)%$1,605 $852 88.4%

Diluted EPS (a) (b) $4.02 $4.14 (2.8) %$12.41 $6.25 98.5%

Cash provided by operations $561 $862 (34.9)%$1,752 $1,464 19.6%

Capital expenditures $89 $91 (1.9) %$259 $256 1.2 %



Adjusted (a):

Operating income $694 $831 (16.4)%$1,986 $1,350 47.1%

Operating income as a percentage of net revenues 25.0 % 29.8 % (4.8) %24.7 % 21.0 % 3.7 %

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics $498 $591 (15.7)%$1,411 $912 54.7%

Diluted EPS (b) $3.96 $4.31 (7.9) %$10.91 $6.69 63.1%

For further details impacting the year-over-year comparisons related to(a) operating income, operating income as a percentage of net revenues, net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics, and diluted EPS, see note 2 of the financial tables attached below.

The sum of reported and adjusted diluted EPS for the first three quarters of 2021 did not equal the totals for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 due(b) to both quarterly fluctuations in the company's earnings and in the weighted average common shares outstanding throughout the period as a result of the impact of accelerated share repurchase agreements ("ASRs") that the company entered into during April 2021.

Updated Outlook for Full Year 2021

The company updates its Full Year 2021 outlook as follows:

Updated Outlook Previous Outlook

Low High Low High

Net revenues $10.45 $10.60 billion$9.84 billion$10.09 billion billion

Net revenues increase 10.7% 12.3% 4.3% 6.9%

Reported diluted EPS $14.69 $15.09 $12.54 $13.24

Adjusted diluted EPS $13.50 $13.90 $11.65 $12.35

Cash provided by operationsApproximately $2.2 billion At least $2.0 billion

Capital expenditures Approximately $400 million Approximately $400 million

Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures

As used in this press release the term "reported" refers to measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The term "adjusted" refers to non-GAAP operating performance measures that exclude special items such as restructuring and integration charges, certain financial impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, amortization expense, excess tax benefits ("ETB") associated with stock-based compensation, costs associated with donations, contributions, and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity, the company's initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation to reduce health disparities in underserved communities, a gain on sale of an ownership interest in a joint venture, gains associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments, and other items.

Non-GAAP adjusted measures are presented because management believes those measures are useful adjuncts to GAAP results. Non-GAAP adjusted measures should not be considered as an alternative to the corresponding measures determined under GAAP. Management may use these non-GAAP measures to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, to analyze the underlying trends in our business, to establish operational budgets and forecasts and for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and analysts to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, as well as to analyze the underlying trends in our business and to assess our performance. The additional tables attached below include reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted measures to GAAP measures.

Conference Call Information

Quest Diagnostics will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss financial results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, passcode: 7895081; or via live webcast on the company's website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor. The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or, from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 21, 2021 until midnight Eastern Time on November 4, 2021, by phone at 866-360-7722 for domestic callers or 203-369-0174 for international callers. Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read the company's periodic reports, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, the complexity of billing, reimbursement and revenue recognition for clinical laboratory testing, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers or strategic partners and other factors discussed in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the company's subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including those discussed in the "Business," "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of those reports.

This earnings release, including the attached financial tables, is available online in the Newsroom section at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

ADDITIONAL TABLES FOLLOW





Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)



Three Months EndedNine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2021 2020 2021 2020

Net revenues $2,774$2,786$8,044$6,435



Operating costs and expenses and other operating income:

Cost of services 1,670 1,580 4,861 4,071

Selling, general and administrative 427 396 1,263 1,103

Amortization of intangible assets 25 27 77 77

Other operating expense (income), net - 65 (2) 8

Total operating costs and expenses, net 2,122 2,068 6,199 5,259



Operating income 652 718 1,845 1,176



Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net (38) (42) (114) (124)

Other income, net 40 77 366 74

Total non-operating income (expense), net 2 35 252 (50)



Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity method654 753 2,097 1,126 investees

Income tax expense (153) (177) (483) (269)

Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes 26 15 53 33

Net income 527 591 1,667 890

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 22 23 62 38

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics $505 $568 $1,605$852



Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:

Basic $4.11 $4.20 $12.63$6.33



Diluted $4.02 $4.14 $12.41$6.25



Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic 123 135 127 134



Diluted 125 137 129 136

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)



September 30,December 31, 2021 2020

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $987 $1,158

Accounts receivable, net 1,473 1,520

Inventories 205 223

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 189 157

Total current assets 2,854 3,058

Property, plant and equipment, net 1,634 1,627

Operating lease right-of-use assets 596 604

Goodwill 7,057 6,873

Intangible assets, net 1,152 1,167

Investments in equity method investees 124 521

Other assets 155 176

Total assets $13,572 $14,026



Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $1,610 $1,633

Current portion of long-term debt 1 2

Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities148 141

Total current liabilities 1,759 1,776

Long-term debt 4,006 4,013

Long-term operating lease liabilities 495 499

Other liabilities 801 847

Redeemable noncontrolling interest 79 82

Stockholders' equity:

Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 600 shares authorized as of both September 30, 2021 and December 2 2 31, 2020; 162 and 217 shares issued as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

Additional paid-in capital 1,936 2,841

Retained earnings 7,333 9,303

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (13) (21)

Treasury stock, at cost; 39 and 84 shares as of (2,866) (5,366) September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

Total Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity 6,392 6,759

Noncontrolling interests 40 50

Total stockholders' equity 6,432 6,809

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $13,572 $14,026

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions) (unaudited)



Nine Months Ended September 30,

2021 2020

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income $1,667$890

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 302 263

Provision for credit losses 3 18

Deferred income tax (benefit) provision (87) 12

Stock-based compensation expense 60 63

Gain on disposition of joint venture (314) -

Other, net (48) (60)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable 45 (355)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses 36 514

Income taxes payable 49 95

Termination of interest rate swap agreements - 40

Other assets and liabilities, net 39 (16)

Net cash provided by operating activities 1,752 1,464



Cash flows from investing activities:

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (251) (329)

Capital expenditures (259) (256)

Proceeds from disposition of joint venture 755 -

Decrease (Increase) in investments and other assets 3 (19)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 248 (604)



Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from borrowings - 749

Repayments of debt (2) (1,002)

Purchases of treasury stock (1,910)(75)

Exercise of stock options 108 144

Employee payroll tax withholdings on stock issued under stock-based (22) (13) compensation plans

Dividends paid (232) (222)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners (75) (34)

Other financing activities, net (38) 6

Net cash used in financing activities (2,171)(447)



Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (171) 413

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 1,158 1,192

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $987 $1,605



Cash paid during the period for:

Interest $111 $136

Income taxes $522 $168

Notes to Financial Tables

1) The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is asfollows:

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2021 2020 2021 2020

(in millions, except per share data)

Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics $ 505 $ 568 $ 1,605 $ 852

Less: earnings allocated to participating securities 2 2 6 3

Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic and $ 503 $ 566 $ 1,599 $ 849diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 123 135 127 134

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options and performance share units 2 2 2 2

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 125 137 129 136

Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:

Basic $ 4.11 $ 4.20 $ 12.63 $ 6.33

Diluted $ 4.02 $ 4.14 $ 12.41 $ 6.25

2) The following tables reconcile reported GAAP results to non-GAAP adjustedresults:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Equity in Operating earnings Net income Operating income as a Income tax of equity attributable Diluted income percentage of expense (f) method to Quest EPS net revenues investees, Diagnostics net of taxes

As reported $ 652 23.5 % $ (153) $ 26 $ 505 $ 4.02

Restructuring and 13 0.5 (4) - 9 0.08integration charges (a)

Other (b) 4 0.1 12 (3) (29) (0.25)

Amortization expense 25 0.9 (6) - 19 0.15

ETB - - (6) - (6) (0.04)

As adjusted $ 694 25.0 % $ (157) $ 23 $ 498 $ 3.96

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Equity in Operating earnings Net income Operating income as a Income tax of equity attributable Diluted income percentage of expense (f) method to Quest EPS net revenues investees, Diagnostics net of taxes

As reported $ 1,845 22.9 % $ (483) $ 53 $ 1,605 $ 12.41

Restructuring and 51 0.6 (13) - 38 0.30integration charges (a)

Other (b) 9 0.1 8 5 (20) (0.18)

Gain on sale ofownership in joint - - 55 - (259) (2.00)venture (c)

COVID-19 impact (d) 4 0.1 (1) - 3 0.03

Amortization expense 77 1.0 (20) 2 59 0.46

ETB - - (15) - (15) (0.11)

As adjusted $ 1,986 24.7 % $ (469) $ 60 $ 1,411 $ 10.91

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Equity in Operating earnings Net income Operating income as a Income tax of equity attributable Diluted income percentage of expense (f) method to Quest EPS net revenues investees, Diagnostics net of taxes

As reported $ 718 25.8 % $ (177) $ 15 $ 568 $ 4.14

Restructuring and 18 0.6 (4) - 14 0.10integration charges (a)

COVID-19 impact (d) 68 2.5 (18) 1 52 0.39

Gain on remeasurement - - 7 - (63) (0.46)of equity interest (e)

Amortization expense 27 0.9 (7) 3 23 0.16

ETB - - (3) - (3) (0.02)

As adjusted $ 831 29.8 % $ (202) $ 19 $ 591 $ 4.31

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Equity in Operating earnings Net income Operating income as a Income tax of equity attributable Diluted income percentage of expense (f) method to Quest EPS net revenues investees, Diagnostics net of taxes

As reported $ 1,176 18.3 % $ (269) $ 33 $ 852 $ 6.25

Restructuring and 43 0.7 (9) - 34 0.25integration charges (a)

COVID-19 impact (d) 54 0.8 (11) (2) 39 0.29

Gain on remeasurement - - 7 - (63) (0.46)of equity interest (e)

Amortization expense 77 1.2 (21) 9 65 0.47

ETB - - (15) - (15) (0.11)

As adjusted $ 1,350 21.0 % $ (318) $ 40 $ 912 $ 6.69

For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, represents costs primarily associated with systems conversions and (a) integration incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of restructuring and integration charges on the company's consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2021 2020 2021 2020

(dollars in millions)

Cost of services $ 7 $ 11 $ 26 $ 21

Selling, general and administrative 6 7 25 22

Operating income $ 13 $ 18 $ 51 $ 43

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the pre-tax impact primarily represents gains associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments and costs associated with donations, contributions and other financial support through Quest for Health (b) Equity. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the pre-tax impact primarily represents gains associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments, costs associated with donations, contributions and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity, and a non-cash impairment charge to the carrying value of an equity method investment.

The following table summaries the pre-tax impact of these other items on the company's consolidated statement of operations:

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2021 20202021 2020

(dollars in millions)

Selling, general and administrative $4 $-$9 $ -



Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes$(3) $-$5 $ -



Other income, net $(42) $-$(42) $ -

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the pre-tax impact represents a gain of $314 million recorded in other income, net following (c) the sale of the company's 40% ownership interest in Q^2 Solutions(r), its clinical trials central laboratory services joint venture, to IQVIA Holdings, Inc., its joint venture partner, for $760 million in an all-cash transaction.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the pre-tax impact represents the impact of certain items resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, includes incremental costs incurred to protect the health and safety of the company's employees and customers. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the pre-tax impact principally includes the reversal of $65 million of income previously recognized during the second quarter of 2020 attributable to the receipt of funds from the government that were appropriated to healthcare (d) providers under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"), which funds were returned during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and, to a lesser extent, incremental costs incurred primarily to protect the health and safety of the company's employees and customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the pre-tax impact principally includes expense associated with a payment to eligible employees to help offset expenses they incurred as a result of COVID-19, certain asset impairment charges, and incremental costs incurred primarily to protect the health and safety of the company's employees and customers.

The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of these COVID-19 items on the company's consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2021 2020 2021 2020

(dollars in millions)

Cost of services $ - $ 3 $ 4 $ 38

Selling, general and administrative - - - 8

Other operating expense (income), net - 65 - 8

Operating income $ - $ 68 $ 4 $ 54

Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes $ - $ 1 $ - $ (2)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest $ - $ (1) $ - $ 2

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the pre-tax impact represents a gain of $70 million recognized in other income, net based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of (e) an equity interest. On August 1, 2020, the company completed its acquisition of the remaining 56% interest in Mid America Clinical Laboratories, LLC ("MACL") from its joint venture partners. As a result of the transaction, the company remeasured its previously held minority interest in MACL to fair value and recognized a gain.

For restructuring and integration charges, COVID-19 impacts, other items and amortization expense, income tax impacts, where recorded, were primarily calculated using combined statutory income tax rates of 25.5% (f) for both 2021 and 2020. For the gain on sale of ownership in joint venture in 2021, income tax expense on the transaction resulted in an effective income rate of 17.6%. For the gain on remeasurement of equity interest in 2020, income tax expense on the transaction resulted in an effective income tax rate of 11.8%.

In April 2021, the company entered into ASRs with several financial institutions to repurchase $1.5 billion of the company's common stock as part of its share repurchase program. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the company paid $1.5 billion to the financial institutions and received an initial amount of 9.1 million shares of its common stock, for a value of $1.2 billion, which represents 80% of the total value of shares to be repurchased under the ASRs. The specific number of shares that the company ultimately will purchase under the ASRs will be3) based on the average of the daily volume-weighted average price per share of the company's common stock during a repurchase period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the company repurchased 12.5 million shares of its common stock for a value of $1.6 billion, including 9.1 million shares repurchased under ASRs. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2021. In each of February and March 2021, the company's Board of Directors increased the size of its share repurchase program by $1 billion. As of September 30, 2021, $1.3 billion remained available under the company's share repurchase authorization.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, net cash provided by operating activities includes $73 million and $138 million, respectively,4) that the company received from the funds that were appropriated to healthcare providers under the CARES Act, which funds were returned during the fourth quarter of 2020.

The outlook for adjusted diluted EPS represents management's estimates for the full year 2021 before the impact of special items. Further impacts to earnings related to special items may occur throughout 2021. Additionally, the amount of ETB is dependent upon employee stock option exercises and the5) company's stock price, and changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments are based on fluctuations in the investee's stock price, both of which are difficult to predict. The following table reconciles our full year 2021 outlook for adjusted diluted EPS to the corresponding amounts determined under GAAP:

Low High

Diluted EPS $14.69$15.09

Restructuring and integration charges (a) 0.44 0.44

COVID-19 impact (b) 0.03 0.03

Amortization expense (c) 0.63 0.63

Costs associated with Quest for Health Equity (d)0.10 0.10

Gain on sale of ownership in joint venture (e) (2.02) (2.02)

Other (f) (0.23) (0.23)

ETB (0.14) (0.14)

Adjusted diluted EPS $13.50$13.90

Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $75 million primarily associated (a) with systems conversions and integration incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $4 million associated with the (b) impact of certain items resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

Represents the estimated impact of amortization expense on the calculation (c) of adjusted diluted EPS. Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

Amortization of intangible assets $105

Amortization expense included in equity in earnings of equity method investees, 2 net of taxes

Total pre-tax amortization expense $107



Total amortization expense, net of an estimated income tax benefit using a combined statutory $80 income tax rate of 25.5%

Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $18 million associated with (d) donations, contributions and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity. Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

Represents a pre-tax gain of $314 million recorded in other income, net (e) following the sale of the company's 40% ownership interest in Q^2 Solutions(r). Income tax expense on the transaction resulted in an effective income tax rate of 17.6%.

Represents net pre-tax gains of $38 million associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments partially offset by a non-cash (f) impairment charge to the carrying value of an equity method investment. Income tax expense was calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics